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Top 20 Wedding Photography Mistakes Brides Make (from The Knot)

The Knot just published an article about the top 20 wedding photography mistakes. Here's the article in it's entirety. I've re-organized to put my favorites on top.

My #1! Falling for Photography Trends

"Too many times, brides fall for something trendy in photography. It is
critical that these images stand the test of time and are valued for
each following generation. Trends are fun but rarely last! Look for a
photographer with a classic shooting style, and be wary of too much
Photoshop and digital 'tricks' and manipulations." --Brie Castell, Castell Photography

2. Not Getting a Second Shooter

"Sometimes brides want to save a little money or feel that it is too
obtrusive for more than one photographer to be present on the wedding
day. But consider this: The second photographer offers another unique
point of view throughout the entire day that you would not have had
photographed." --Chris Leary, Chris Leary Weddings

3.Skipping the "First Look"

"A 'first look' [aka taking your couple photos before the ceremony] is
so much better than trying to rush bride and groom portraits after the
ceremony -- especially if your ceremony ran a little late (which most
do). You end up trying to hurry up and get to the party." --Ashley Nardello, Cleopatra Photography

4. Asking for Too Many Shots

"If clients have done their homework and have chosen an experienced and
reputable wedding photographer, then chances are that photographer does
not need to be provided with a two-page spreadsheet of every
combination for family portraits." --Millie B., The Studio Weddings

5. Letting Relatives Get in the Way

"We have a name in the industry for a guest who shows up with pro photo
equipment and takes 'unofficial wedding photos' -- we call him Uncle
Bob. Uncle Bob may think he's doing you a favor by taking more shots for
the couple, but usually he just gets in the way and makes us miss our
shots. Tell Bob to leave the camera at home and just enjoy his time at
the wedding without working." -- Sandra O'Claire, Eau Claire Photographics

6. Not Getting Help Organizing Your Guests

"Designate someone that you trust and who knows your family and friends
to be in charge of organizing people for portraits. That person can
gather the people needed, direct them on what shots they will be in, and
then release them when they are done. It keeps things moving quickly,
smoothly, and enjoyably." --Erica Natali, Natali Photography

7. Not Hiring a Professional Photographer

"Choose someone who is a professional and not just anyone with a
digital camera and a website. Make sure the photographer you choose has
an education as a photographer, has apprenticed or interned with other
photographers and paid their dues, and has the experience and ability to
consistently capture the moments of your wedding no matter what
situations may arise. You should expect to spend between $2,000 and
$6,000 for any decent wedding photography." --Chris & Dawndy, Bendet Photography

8. Trying to Make Things "Perfect"

"Just have fun -- whether it's getting a little cake on your face or
some little detail that didn't turn out 100 percent like you had hoped,
go with it, have fun, and keep smiling. The photos will be so different
if the bride is scowling at her new hubby, don't you think?" --Jennyfer Huff, Florida Weddings Photography

9. Not Choosing a Photographer You Connect With

"Make sure that we get along. I work with clients for sometimes two
years or more. If we don't get along, it's going to be a very long and
very bumpy ride." --Gillian Reinhardt, Carolina Studios

10. Skipping the Engagement Session

"Engagement sessions increase the confidence and comfort level of the
bride and groom in front of the camera and allow the bride and groom to
practice having their photo taken in a fun, no-stakes atmosphere.
Ultimately, an engagement session will let the bride and groom see why
the photographer might tell them to do something funny, and this leads
to wedding day comfort and trust in the photographer." --Heather Cook Elliott, Heather Cook Elliott Photography

11. Not Finalizing the Wedding Day Schedule

"Talk to your photographer before finalizing the schedule for your
wedding day. There is a lot to consider in terms of photographing and
natural light. Certain times of day are more photogenic than others
(midday sun casts harsh, unflattering shadows on the face while late day
sun casts a beautifying warm glow on everyone)." --Hillary Harvey, Hillary Harvey Photography

12. Forgetting the Details

"Think about spending a few minutes to decide what other elements are
important to photograph -- did your sister make special wedding favors?
Are you carrying important heirlooms with you? Bring an extra
invitation, and try to keep those special elements easily accessible for
photos." -- Nick Coleman, Dave Cross Photography

13. Not smiling -- All the Time

"Tell all of the individuals walking down the aisle to look up and
smile. If they are too nervous to smile, they should at least keep their
head up and stare down the aisle. This helps keep the face from forming
the 'evil double chin' look that happens when you stare at the floor
while walking!" --Christin Berry, Blue Martini Photography

14. Trying to Pose

"A good photographer gives direction for a reason: to get the best
moments and shots from the day. The best thing to do is relax and act
naturally. Be in the moment. Be hopelessly in love with each other --
the pictures will turn out smashingly!" --Brook S. Hollis, Lucent Photography

15. Not Sticking to the Finalized Schedule

"Pay attention and respect the schedule you and your photographer
discuss prior to your wedding. Being an hour late can make or break your
images. Don't just assume it only takes 10 minutes!" --Alison Clinton, Horizon Photo

16. Focusing Too Much on Taking Photos

"A good photojournalist can capture the story of their day and capture
some artistic portraits while keeping the time away from loved ones to a
minimum." --Alex Fagundo, Candidly Elegant Photography

17. Looking at the Camera All the Time

"Some couples want candid photographs, but they always feel like they
need to look up at the camera and stop what they are doing. It could be
an instinct, but remember -- unless the photographer asks you, try to
act natural for the best journalistic shots." --Dina Konovalov, A Dream Picture

18. Waiting Too Long to Book Your Photographer

"If you find a great photographer, book them! Good photographers book a
year or more out and won't be available forever. Nothing is more
frustrating than choosing a wedding photographer and then finding out
that they booked out your date a week prior." --Jeff Livengood, Digital Dreammakers

19. Not Explaining How You Like to Look in Photos

"Beauty is really very subjective. I ask my clients to send a photo of
themselves before the wedding that they like and one that they don't." -- Dorie Hagler, Dorie Hagler Photography

20. Not Providing a List of "Don't Takes"

"Let the photographer know before the wedding if there are certain
photos you don't like. It can be anything such as 'I don't like the
photos you took of us not smiling' or 'I don't like wide-angle
close-ups; they make us look weird and fat.' It totally throws off a
photographer's creative approach when a bride spills her feelings while
you are in the zone." --Tony & Natasha, Artistique Photography Productions